Nursing Degrees

How can I benefit from online nursing degrees?
If you are passionate about providing medical care to patients or wish to give your nursing career a boost, online nursing programs can potentially open many different avenues for you in the health care industry.

Online nursing degrees are ideal for nurses who are already practicing and want to continue with their education. People who want to switch their career and study outside work hours can also benefit from these programs. Nursing students can choose an area of specialization from a wide variety of fields, ranging from forensic nursing to ambulatory care nursing.

Featured Schools

Featured Programs

Kaplan University Online

RN to MS in Nursing

MSN - DNP Path (Doctor of Nursing Practice)

Liberty University Online

MSN: Nurse Educator Track

Master of Science in Nursing-Nursing Administration

DNP: Doctor of Nursing

South University, Online Programs

RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Walden University Online

Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P) - General

Types of Nursing Programs
The four primary branches of nursing are pediatric, adult, mental health, and learning disabilities. All online nursing degree programs start out with basic courses spread across these four divisions, but most schools require students to specify a specialization before applying for the program.

Entry-level nursing programs include associate degrees, LPN-to-RN programs, and diplomas. A bachelor's degree in nursing and patient care is a good choice if you want to increase your prospects of becoming a registered nurse, and enables individuals to qualify for senior-level positions. Any practicing nurse seeking to become a licensed nurse in the US is required to clear the NCLEX-RN exam. Nursing professionals who undertake master's degrees and doctoral programs have better chances of establishing a career in nursing education or management.

All nursing schools require students to earn a high school diploma in order to become eligible for an entry-level or Bachelor's online degree program.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse

Complete some college prep courses in high school.

These courses include English, math, chemistry, biology, and foreign language.

Select a suitable nursing program according to your career needs.

Nursing diplomas, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees are available after high school.

Look for nursing schools near your area or go for an online nursing school.

Find out about entrance exams and other admission requirements.

Complete your preferred nursing program and educational requirements for RN.

Why should I join an online program?
An added benefit of joining online nursing degree programs is that they entail lower fees as compared to on-campus programs, including flexibility of timings. However, almost all online programs require nursing students to gain some clinical experience as part of their training. Most nursing schools assist students with finding a medical facility near their residential area. However, make sure the program you are joining is accredited, because some degrees might not be recognized in the job market.

Students pursuing online nursing degrees can apply for receiving a number of scholarships, funds, and grants. You can potentially avail these financial aid options at different levels of your nursing education.

Job Opportunities
The job opportunities for trained and licensed nursing and healthcare practitioners are expected to increase in the 2012-2022 decade in the US. The scope of the job opportunities that you can possibly avail will depend on your level of education and areas of specialization. Nurses that hold bachelor's degrees or higher have better prospects for being promoted to supervisory or managerial roles. However, there is also a range of job opportunities for which nurses who have only completed diploma and certificate programs can become eligible for.

Medical Assistant vs. Nurse

Medical Assistant

RN

2012 Median Pay

$29,370 per year

$65,470 per year

Education

Postsecondary non-degree award

Associate’s degree

Work Experience

No

No

Training

No

No

Number of Jobs, 2012

560,800

2,711,500

Job Outlook, 2012-22

29% (Much faster than average)

19% (Faster than average)

Salary Annual Growth Rate

0.82%

1.15%

Highest Paying State

California

California

Degree for a Job

65% Post-secondary certificate

66% Associate's degree

18% Associate's degree

23% Bachelor's degree

10% High school diploma or equivalent

11% Some college, no degree

Where to work

Offices of Physicians

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

Offices of Physicians

Offices of Other Health Practitioners

Home Health Care Services

Outpatient Care Centers

Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

Outpatient Care Centers

IMPORTANT:The salary figures mentioned above are taken from Click Here

A:Completion of courses is a major requirement to attain a degree of nursing. With each course is specified a number of credit hours, students must achieve the required number of credit hours. Apart from this, deferred courses, incomplete courses and special credit courses must be completed within the degree program.

Q:What is the Associate Nursing Degree requirement?

A:To get into the Associate in nursing degree program, students must have graduated from high school with a minimum 'C' grade in subjects such as biology, chemistry, English and humanities.

Q:Are there any online nursing degree programs?

A:Yes. Numerous web based universities like Walden University Online and Colorado Technical University Online offer comprehensive online nursing degree programs. You can take up the online classes at your own timings.

Q:How long is the Associate nursing online degree program for?

A:The Associate nursing online degree program is for 2 years, generally. It has about 54 credits. Online degrees offer you the advantage of completing these programs at your own pace from any location.

Q:Are the courses offered in the online nursing degrees programs different from the on-campus ones?

A:No. The course outline of the online nursing degree programs is exactly the same as the on-campus degree programs. In online programs, you can interact with your instructors to gain comprehensive understanding of the subjects. Just like the campus based programs, online coursework comprise of group projects and discussions to broaden your knowledge base.

Q:How long does the certificate degree in nursing online program take?

A:The online Certificate degree in nursing program is a 1 year program. These degree programs comprise of 30 credits. However, since its an online degree program, students can take up as much time as they require to finish the degree.

Q:How long is the online Bachelor's degree Nursing ?

A:The online Bachelor's degree in Nursing is typically a 4 years program. The first year is focused on general courses like medical terminology whereas students can get in depth practical knowledge of the field through more specific courses in the following years.

Q:What is the advantage of studying for a Nursing degree On Line instead of On-campus?

A:Studying for a Nursing degree online is a cheaper alternative to on-campus programs and there is more flexibility, so you can study as per your convenience and manage your time. This can save your traveling and accommodation expenses. Working adults can continue with higher education without having to quit their jobs.

Q:How are the nursing degrees online different from on-campus program?

A:The nursing degrees online are exactly the same as the on-campus program. The courses offered in online and campus based programs are the same. However, online programs are less expensive as they save your college traveling and accommodation expenses. You can take the online classes from anywhere at your convenience.

Q:Do we have to be somewhere to study a nursing degree online?

A:No. You may study for a nursing degree online from wherever you wish to, as per your convenience. You need to have access to fast internet service to be able to take online lectures.

Q:What are the prerequisites to a nursing degree?

A:The prerequisite to a Nursing degree is the One Year Certificate/ Diploma in Nursing. After that admission criteria of each university is different and hence can vary.

Q:Do the Nursing Degree Requirements vary?

A:Although the very basic Nursing Degree Requirements are more or less the same but they may vary from institute to institute. Most of the universities want the candidates to have at least a diploma or certificate in nursing.

Q:Are there any degree in Nursing program that are offered on financial aid?

A:There are numerous universities that offer the Masters degree in Nursing program on financial aid. This financial aid includes grants, scholarships, work-study plans and exemptions.

Q:What are the SAT score preference in the Degree in Nursing requirements?

A:Nursing requirements include SAT score of 1000 points. However, the score preference may be different at every university.

Q:My search for requirements for nursing mentioned women’s health. What courses are covered in the women’s health curriculum?

A:Women's health would be mentioned when searching for requirements for nursing. Some of the courses included in the curriculum are Biostatistics, Methods of Health Research, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning. With the health care industry expanding all over the United States, there is huge potential for students interested in this qualification.

Q:Are there any extra curricular requirements nursing have?

A:There are not any extra curricular requirements in average nursing programs, however, some universities prefer a field related volunteering or any such work. Relevant work experience in this field can help you to get into a well reputed university easily.

Q:Which schools offer the best online Nursing degrees?

A:Kaplan University Online and Chamberlain College of Nursing are few of the schools that offer comprehensively designed online nursing degree programs. The students can get enrolled in these programs from any location and take online lectures which can save up on their college traveling and accommodation expenses.

Q:Are there any University of Tennessee Nursing Scholarships?

A:Yes, University of Tennessee like various other accredited well-known institutions does offer Nursing Scholarships. University of Tennessee has an extensive financial aid services, scholarships and grants program which is extended to its Nursing school as well. In fact, UKT Nursing School conducts a scholarship banquet every year attracting students to apply for nursing degrees on scholarship.

Q:I wish to study for the Bachelors in Nursing in Nevada but feel hesitant because Nevada is an expensive state. Are there any cheap classes offered in this state for a course like BSN?

A:We do understand that the Bachelors in Nursing in Nevada can be somewhat steep for a few. The good news here is that most of the renowned universities and schools in Nevada offer financial assistance programs where you can get financial aid such as scholarships, grants, student loans and work-study options so that you get the best of education in feasible budget. Some pharmaceutical companies and corporations also offer grants and aid for the students of Bachelors in Nursing, which can be equally beneficial.

Q:What are the different Nursing Programs students can opt for higher education?

A:There are many different types of nursing programs available in universities and nursing schools. Students can opt for an Associate's Degree in Nursing, RN (Registered nurse), and LPN (Licensed practitioner nurse) which are the most basic nursing education requirements. Further students can continue by enrolling in a BSN bachelor’s degree in nursing and specialize in a certain area of nursing such as geriatrics, or prenatal nursing. All the above mentioned degree programs are undergraduate level programs. Nursing education is also available at graduate level, such as the MSN - Master’s degree in Nursing, and Doctorate in Nursing. Apart from this, there are many certification programs in nursing and diploma programs in nursing.

Q:Are there any nursing programs that are all online?

A:Yes. Various certificate and doctorate nursing degrees can be pursued online completely. The certificate and doctorate degrees in nursing do not require any compulsory practical experience hence all theoretical courses can be completed online. However, for associate, bachelors and master's degrees in nursing, practical experience is necessary hence they cannot be taken completely online.

Q:How much time does it take to complete the bachelor nursing degree programs?

A:A bachelor in nursing degree can normally take 3 to 4 years to complete. If you are looking to complete the degree in a shorter time, you can go for an accelerated degree program, which covers more of the coursework in a shorter time period and can reduce the total time to around 2 years.

Q:What are the different nurse degree programs?

A:Different nursing degree programs consist of the certificate, associate, bachelor, master and doctoral programs in various specialization areas. The certificate in nursing is the introductory level course for quick entry in the workforce. The associate and the bachelor's degrees qualify students to be 'Registered Nurses' and master's and doctoral programs are highly specialized degrees allowing students to master one specialty.

Q:Name a few popular nursing schools in Florida that offer nursing programs to students?

A:The state of Florida is a well developed state with numerous large cities. There are many universities and schools in the state that offer degree programs in the field of nursing. top nursing schools in Florida are: Florida International University, Miami Dade College, Mercy College of Practical Nursing, International Training Careers, Robert Morgan Educational Center, University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, University of North Florida, and Nova Southeastern University.

Q:I just had a baby but want to continue my education, where should I get my nursing degree from?

A:If you just had a baby and want to have enough time to spend with your child while you continue studying, you should get your nursing degree from an accredited online school. Online degree programs easily fit into your existing schedule and there isn't even any need to leave home as your presence is not required at any physical campus. The classes can be completed and the coursework can be handed in through the internet.

Q:Should I get my nursing school second degree online as opposed to from a regular school?

A:It is always a good idea to get a second degree from an online institute as the flexible class schedules make it easier for you to focus on your main degree. You can easily plan your second degree's study schedule so it doesn't clash with your existing studying schedule. There are a large number of online nursing schools that offer accredited second degrees in nursing.

Q:What are the advantages of joining nursing degree program online?

A:Students seeking nursing degree program online have the benefit of taking up day time jobs alongside studying since online students can complete the course at a pace of their own and from the ease of their home. Students also get to save quite a lot on the tuition fee and the commuting costs while pursuing campus-based program in nursing.

Q:While searching for various nursing degrees, I came across BS Nursing, I was wondering what does the course Change Management in it refers to?

A:Change Management is an important course in Nursing Programs. In the nursing profession of today, individual needs to be able to keep up with the rapid changes in the society and technology. For this, the course of Change Management is included; it teaches you how to keep up with the healthcare innovations.

Q:In all of the different nursing degrees available, there is mention of the course on Muscle Relaxants. What are the contents of this course?

A:It is common to see the mention of course on Muscle Relaxants while going through the different nursing degrees available. This course is worth 4 credits in total. It is intended to provide the students with ample understanding of the study of nature, the side effects of the medicinal drugs as well as the various hormones drugs and non-narcotic analgesics.

Q:As I read on can I take my basic nursing classes online, there was mention of the course on Introduction to Pharmacy. What are the contents of this course?

A:It is common to get to read about the course on Introduction to Pharmacy while going through articles on can I take my basic nursing classes online. This introductory level course is worth 3 credits in total and offers the students with ample understanding of basically what are the different tasks and the various roles performed at a pharmacy. the course also highlights on the common terms used in a pharmaceutical setup.

Q:What is the best nursing field of specialization, career wise?

A:Different jobs require different skills sets. It may be that your area of specialization at college may not be the same as the jobs that are available to you. This is nothing to worry about. Your course program, regardless of your specialization, will equip you with the necessary foundation skills needed to build your career upon. Also, no-one knows where life will take you, so not many people can predict at college what they will be doing ten/twenty/thirty years later.

Q:Can you tell me what is studied in a critical care nursing program?

A:Critical care nursing program provides the necessary skills and an in depth study of handling patients in emergency situations. The nature of the job is such that it needs specialized training. It generally covers subjects such as health evaluation, clinical pharmacology, advanced nursing care practices and theories, critical care processes etc.

A:Online associate nursing programs cover range of subjects but generally they deal with basic studies in biology, chemistry, psychology, physiology, pediatric and geriatric health and pharmacology. With knowledge of these subjects you can pursue your nursing career. It is best to check the subjects in advance on the website of the online school you are opting for.

Q:Are nursing degree programs available online?

A:All the colleges and schools offering nursing degrees on this website offer online versions of their programs. These programs allow you, the student, to study at home in your own time and at your own pace. Therefore, if you are already working, you can fit your studies around you work/ family commitments.

Q:How to get my nursing degree?

A:There are several nursing degrees that you can go for. If you are a high school student you can go for a bachelor's of science in nursing or as associate degree. Nursing programs can be pursued in a traditional class room environment or through distant learning. Online education is a good option for those who want to study at their own pace.

Q:What are The different types of nursing degrees I can find online?

A:You can find almost every nursing program online. From LPN programs to RN programs, and from BSN degrees to MSN degrees, nursing schools offer a wide variety of nursing degrees. Most of the programs will require students to study basic and fundamental courses through online lectures, video conferences, and presentations. For the practical part of the curriculum, students will have to take classes at the campus.

Q:How to get a nursing degree?

A:You can get into the nursing field by pursuing an ADN (Associate degree in nursing) or by taking a BSN (Bachelor of Science in nursing) program. Both these degrees prepare you to become a registered nurse. An ADN degree is two years long while a BSN degree offers more in depth studies and can be completed in four years.

Q:Are scholarships available for 2 year online nursing degrees?

A:Yes, a large number of scholarships, grants and funds are available for students who wish to pursue 2 year online nursing degrees. As long as one makes sure that the degree is from an accredited program and is recognized in the job market, one can look into the option for applying for these grants and scholarships at any level of one's nursing education.

Q:Which Nurse Program is required to be an APRN?

A:In order to be an APRN your nurse program will have to be a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). It will prepare an expert on advanced nursing practices with developed skills in leadership and/or management. Master degree programs broaden the outlook of students by exposing them to a world of interdisciplinary techniques to resolve healthcare issues.

Q:What is geriatric nursing? Can you describe briefly?

A:Geriatric nursing can be defined as a nursing specialty that focuses on the treatment of older patients. As the aged population is increasing, the demand for geriatric nursing is increased. Nurses who specialize in this field are skilled in meeting the mental and physical health requirements of aged patients. These nurses work with all kinds of older patients suffering from chronic or acute illnesses.

Q:How long does it take to get a nursing degree?

A:There are different levels of education in nursing. Additional state licensing and regulations can also affect how long it will take you to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Associate or bachelor's degrees are among relatively quicker options. An associate degree in nursing (ADN) can be completed in both, periods of 2 years or 4 years. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) typically takes up to 4 years to complete.